Printed Circuit Board Testing

Dated：2018-03-22 Popularity：1053

In PCB testing, the performance of PCB components and its behaviour are really important. In the first step, test the connectivity of all traces. In the next step, the different types of currents will be checked, and then test the individual components. There are two types of current or current flowing through the PCB traces.

AC Current (alternating current): In this process, we use a multimeter to check the AC current. The multimeter has two probes, red and black, and one selector switch. During the PCB test of the AC current, we use the AC range with a selector switch and connected 2 probes to the PCB. A black wire with a neutral (-ve) point is connected and the red probe is connected to the phase (+ve) and measured.

DC Current (direct current): To check the DC current during the PCB test process, set the range of the multimeter on the D.C via the selector switch, connect the black probe to the ground, and connect the red probe point of interest or the component that needs to measure the voltage.

Capacitor: During the PCB test process, we select the DC voltage range of the multimeter through the selector switch, and connect the cable to the capacitor terminal and observe the reading. If the reading gradually increases, the measured capacitance is marked as acceptable.

Resistor: In this process, we select the ohm range through the selector switch on the multimeter and connect the probe to the resistor. Its resistance value is displayed on the multimeter screen and observed based on the design values during the PCB test process.

Diode: In order to test the diode during PCB testing, the selector of the multimeter is set to the diode position. After selecting the diode position with the selector switch, we connect the black probe to the cathode of the diode terminal and the red probe to the positive terminal. Check the diode connectivity in this part of the PCB testing.

Inductor: The inductor during the PCB testing process is tested by setting the selector of the multimeter to connectivity and checking multiple points of the inductor. The multimeter's red probe is connected to point 1, and the black probe is connected to other points of the coil. Connectivity is checked on the multifunction meter's screen.

Once all components and traces are verified and checked by manual inspection and testing, the PCB testing is completed and the PCB board is marked as a full-function printed circuit board. EPCB hope this article will be useful when texting your new PCB boards.